plate no. 5192

Larrivée des mid year

Jean Béraud, 1901

oilImpressionismcityscapecityscapebuildingfiguresstreetarchitecturehorse-drawn carriage

experienced study

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in atmospheric perspective, rendering reflections, and depicting figures in motion. It also provides practice in capturing the mood of a specific time and place.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 20 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the basic composition and perspective of the building and street.
step 02
Block in the large shapes of the building and surrounding structures using diluted washes of color.
step 03
Establish the horizon line and begin to suggest the atmospheric perspective by lightening the values of distant objects.
step 04
Add the figures, starting with the larger, more prominent ones in the foreground.
step 05
Develop the details of the building's architecture, paying attention to the play of light and shadow.
step 06
Create the reflections on the wet street surface using horizontal strokes and slightly darker values.
step 07
Refine the details of the figures, adding clothing, hats, and other accessories.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create depth and dimension.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white

secondary · yellow ochre · cadmium red light · ivory black

Achieve the muted tones by mixing complementary colors and adding white. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create various grays and browns for the buildings and figures. Mix yellow ochre and cadmium red for warm highlights.

techniques